Estimator - Fire Safety/Low Voltage

Fire Safety / Low Voltage Estimator - Poway, CA

AMPAM is a leading Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) contractor serving large-scale multifamily and commercial projects across California. With 1,500 employees across multiple business units, we are committed to delivering quality, safety, and excellence in every project. In June 2026, AMPAM acquired Coastal Fire & Integration Systems ("Coastal"), a San Diego-area provider of fire protection, low-voltage, and life safety systems. This role will join the AMPAM team as a part of our Coastal Fire & Integration Systems acquisition.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Fire Safety / Low Voltage Estimator to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for preparing accurate and competitive cost estimates for fire alarm, life safety, and low-voltage electrical projects. This position requires the ability to review plans, specifications, bid documents, addenda, and project requirements to develop complete estimates that account for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, permits, testing, programming, commissioning, and closeout requirements.

This role requires strong analytical skills, a solid understanding of low-voltage electrical systems, fire alarm and life safety requirements, and the ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with general contractors, vendors, subcontractors, project managers, and internal team members.

The Fire Safety / Low Voltage Estimator will be responsible for:

• Reviewing and analyzing project plans, specifications, bid documents, RFPs, addenda, alternates, and scope narratives to prepare detailed cost estimates.
• Preparing estimates for fire alarm, fire life safety, access control, CCTV, intrusion, AV, DAS/ERRCS, monitoring, and other low-voltage systems as applicable.
• Performing detailed material and labor takeoffs from drawings and specifications.
• Reviewing fire alarm drawings, riser diagrams, device layouts, schedules, specifications, and sequence of operations to determine project scope and pricing requirements.
• Identifying scope gaps, conflicts, exclusions, clarifications, and potential risks within bid documents.
• Collaborating with project managers, operations, design, engineering, service, and field teams to gather information needed for accurate pricing.
• Utilizing estimating software and tools, including Bluebeam, to complete takeoffs and prepare estimates efficiently.
• Conducting site walks and pre-bid meetings to assess existing conditions, project logistics, access constraints, phasing, and other factors that may impact pricing.
• Preparing and submitting complete and accurate proposals, including scope inclusions, exclusions, qualifications, alternates, unit pricing, and required bid forms.
• Soliciting and reviewing vendor and subcontractor pricing for materials, equipment, monitoring, testing, specialty systems, and subcontracted scopes.
• Negotiating pricing with vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors to achieve competitive and favorable terms.
• Coordinating with manufacturers and distributors to obtain accurate material pricing, lead times, product availability, and technical information.
• Reviewing project requirements related to permits, inspections, testing, programming, commissioning, record drawings, closeout documents, warranties, and turnover.
• Preparing budgets, conceptual estimates, design-build estimates, change order pricing, and value engineering options as needed.
• Assisting with change order pricing, estimate revisions, and scope modifications throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitoring project costs and estimate accuracy to support cost control and improve future estimating performance.
• Maintaining organized records of estimates, proposals, bid documents, contracts, correspondence, vendor quotes, subcontractor quotes, and project-related documentation.
• Participating in bid reviews, turnover meetings, and project handoff meetings with project management and operations teams.
• Maintaining knowledge of applicable codes, industry standards, local AHJ requirements, and company estimating practices.

The ideal candidate should:

• Have experience estimating fire alarm, fire life safety, and low-voltage electrical systems.
• Be proficient in construction estimating techniques, takeoff methods, labor units, material pricing, and bid preparation.
• Possess a working knowledge of fire alarm systems, low-voltage communication systems, access control, CCTV, DAS/ERRCS, AV, monitoring, and related building system interfaces.
• Be able to read and interpret construction drawings, electrical drawings, fire alarm plans, riser diagrams, specifications, addenda, and scope documents.
• Understand project requirements related to installation, testing, inspection, programming, commissioning, and closeout.
• Be familiar with cost control measures, contract management, bid review, and negotiation strategies.
• Have experience using Bluebeam or similar software for digital takeoffs and estimating.
• Have strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, PDF tools, estimating software, and project documentation systems.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Have strong organizational skills and attention to detail while managing multiple estimates, deadlines, and priorities.
• Be able to work collaboratively in a team environment while also being self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Understand project management principles as they relate to estimating, bidding, budgeting, change orders, procurement, and project handoff.
• Be able to identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, code-related issues, and potential project risks.
• Have the ability to professionally communicate with general contractors, owners, vendors, subcontractors, engineers, consultants, project managers, and internal team members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with fire alarm or life safety estimating.
• Experience with design-build or negotiated low-voltage projects.
• Knowledge of NFPA 72, California Fire Code, California Building Code, and local AHJ requirements.
• Experience estimating Edwards, Notifier, Siemens, Potter, Silent Knight, Fire-Lite, or other fire alarm systems.
• Experience with multifamily, commercial, mixed-use, hospitality, education, healthcare, industrial, or high-rise projects.
• NIET Fire Alarm Systems certification preferred, but not required.
• Field experience in fire alarm or low-voltage systems is a plus.

Additional Duties:

The comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this position may be more than what is listed herein. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Physical and Other Requirements:

This position requires visual acuity and listening ability. Individuals may be required to conduct site visits, attend pre-bid meetings, walk active construction sites, climb stairs, access electrical rooms or equipment areas, and observe existing field conditions.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis without future employment sponsorship.

Recruitment Agencies:

To protect the interests of all parties, AMPAM WILL NOT accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to AMPAM, including unsolicited resumes sent directly to AMPAM leaders/managers/coworkers or to AMPAM's database will be considered AMPAM property. AMPAM will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Inquiries from external recruitment agencies should be directed ONLY to our talent acquisition team.